Chief Chikanta of the Tonga people of Kalomo has thanked to the Catholic Church for for embarking on an initiative of sensitizing traditional leaders on their important roles and responsibilities in society.
The traditional ruler says many churches in Zambia shun working with chiefs because of certain beliefs.
” But it is encouraging that the Catholics have taken it upon themselves to break the barrier between traditional leadership and the church,” he said.
Chief Chikanta said this during a local leaders meeting organized by the Catholic Church under the Sustainable Economic and Social Empowerment (SESE) project at Saint Marys Parish in Choma yesterday.
Others in attendance were Chiefs Singani,Siachitema , Muchila and eight headmen from outside Choma district.
The chief pointed out that the sensitization meeting came at a good time as the nation will be going to the polls later this year hence creating an opportunity for traditional leaders to lobby for attention for some concerns from national leaders as they will be much available for campaigns.
He disclosed that chiefs ‘s roles and responsibilities is currently compromised due to the introduction of the adopted human rights citing that it has left them with no respect from the public as they are no longer feared.
“In as much as we appreciate the introduction of human rights but on our side as chiefs, they have made our subjects to lose respect for us,”he said.
Chief Chikanta said there is need for the church and traditional leaders to work closely in sensitizing members of the public according to the written role of chiefs act and village registration in order for people to fully understand what they are required to do.
He cited lack of cooperation between the church and traditional leadership as the major source of current vices which have been adopted mainly by youths.
The traditional leader pointed out there is need to revisit the human rights act if respect and order in society is to be promoted stating that the current scenario pauses a danger to the young generation as it is impossible to discipline because of the rights which protects them.
Chief Chikanta said currently chiefs have been made mute due to human rights which are barring them from disciplining offenders.
“Human rights have promoted laziness, excessive beer drinking and prostitution because as chiefs we are not doing anything to stop the act for fear of being taken to court,” he said.
He called on other churches to emulate the catholic church ‘s stance of sensitizing local leaders of their responsibilities in society.
ZANIS
The Catholic Church is working better than the Government. All better schools, hospitals, hospices, colleges, University are run by the catholic church
thats the nature of The CHURCH evangelize in the way people have been groomed not mwaya mu kucita improvise ifyenu the catholic church is always live and positive because of its systematic and sound leadership together with the help of the holly spirit.